Charles Henry Peterson, Jr.

Charles Henry Peterson, Jr., age 81, was born on July 20, 1934, in the Steamboat House on Government Street in Pensacola to Charles H. and Nellie Gonzalez Peterson. Charles grew up with three sisters, Anita Jane Babb (Malcolm), Joanne Watson (Woodrow) and Hilda Durrance (Marvin). He departed for his new life on January 10, 2016, at home surrounded by loving family. He had suffered with Alzheimer’s disease for several years. His devoted wife of 62 years was his caregiver with help from family and Comfort Care Hospice. Charles attended St. Michael School in downtown Pensacola and graduated from Pensacola Catholic High in 1952. He attended Auburn University, earning two degrees and later taught in the Civil Engineering Department for almost eight years. He attended Georgia Institute of Technology for more post graduate studies. He married his high school sweetheart, Margaret Louise Kehoe in 1953, and together they raised nine children: Chuck, California, Cathy Kane (Carl) Elberta, Richard (Molly), Fairhope, Robert (Amy), Goshen, AL, David, Elberta, John (Lydia), Daphne, James, San Antonio, TX, Joseph, Colorado, and Mary Burts (Maddox), Fairhope. Also surviving are 20 grandchildren: Robby, Brian Kane (Marie), Angela Bell (Colt), Alex, Amanda, Marissa Kane, SaVanna Wall (Adam), Daniel (Megan), Kevin Kane, Loren, Megan, Brandon, Melissa, Jace, Audrey, Anthony, Clark, William, James, and Madi Burts, as well as seven great-grandchildren: Chris, River, Lake, Bay, Caitlin, Grace, and Marshall. Charles was employed by several engineering companies in Pensacola and one in Gulf Shores before opening his own firm in Gulf Shores in 1984, later opening a branch office in Pensacola and finally moving his business to Elberta in 1990. He subsequently acted as Orange Beach Public Works Director, retiring from that position to do consulting work from home. Charles was a Life Fellow of the ASCE and a Life Member of the Knights of Columbus. He served in several engineering organizations and was active in the Catholic parishes he attended: Little Flower in Pensacola, St. Michael in Auburn, and St. Bartholomew in Elberta.Visitation will be at Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Home in Foley on Friday, January 15 from 6 – 8 pm. The funeral mass will be at St. Bartholomew Catholic Church in Elberta at 10:00 am on Saturday, January 16, with burial following at Prince of Peace Cemetery on Highway 98, east of Elberta. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests monetary donations to St. Bartholomew Catholic Church, 12795 Illinois St., Elberta, AL 36530, or St. Benedict School, 12786 Illinois St., Elberta, AL 36530. ARRANGEMENTS BY WOLFE-BAYVIEW FUNERAL HOMES & CREMATORY, INC. 2551 S. MCKENZIE STREET FOLEY, AL 36535 (251)943-2391